I didn't get a chance to watch the games this weekend (yeah, yeah ... I only get so many weekends where I'm not watching every game) but with the recaps and the highlights, here's what I've learned:

1) If Dom Kinnear is not the CotY, it's a crime. San Jose is challenging for the Supporter's Shield depsite losing two of its best players (Donovan and Mulrooney) and doing it outside of the media spotlight. And kudos to the fans who showed up 22,000 strong to officially knock las rayadas out of the playoff hunt. Anyone know how many of those fans were Chivas fans?

2) Steve Nicol's not doing too badly himself up in New Eng-er-land. If his team had been gutted like Kinnear's in the offseason then he wouldn't be choice numero dos in my voting.

2a) Also, how is it Taylor Twellman can be terrorizing MLS but can't seem to break through on the national stage. Yeah, he was facing el amarillo but that doesn't discount his hat-trick. Also, another thing of interest is that gives Twellman 14 goals. Last year, our co-goal-scoring leaders had only 12 (one of which was EJ). With five to seven games remaining for teams in the regular season, it'd be nice to have someone pushing 20 at the end of they year.

2b) Yes, I know a lot of this has to do with the two expansion teams but in the same number of games from last year, we already have two teams north of 50 points. Last year's Supporter's Shield winner, the aforementioned Crew, had only 46 points. With 18 points on the table for Los Terremotos and the Revs, one of those teams could be pushing 60 points. Just from an outsider's view, I think it looks better when teams are pushing higher in the points category. I imagine that point total will be down next year as RSL and Chivas get better and get some of those points back but it certainly looks impressive this year.

3) Don't look now but the Talisman and his Galaxians are in second place in the west and have all but secured a Dallas-LA first round matchup in the playoffs. Speaking of the Super Hoops, what the heck happened? Is there a curse on the Brick Oven?

4) Discounting what I said above, the 'Pids have two games in hand on the Hoops and the Galaxy ... could the American Nerazzuri make a run at second place in the West? I don't think anyone wants to play San Jose right now.

5) Meet the new D.C. United, same as the old D.C. United.

6) Some pretty good team is going to miss out in the East. Amazing that Chicago could have been in first place after the ASG break and still be looking at missing the playoffs. It's also pretty certain that a team with an over .500 record is going to miss out on the playoffs ... that'd be a first for MLS.

7) Should be a good game Sunday when RSL travels to Frisco to face the Hoops at Pizza Hut Park. I'll be tuning in.

5 Comments:

1, 2) True dat.2a) Because Twellman doesn't seem to adjust at all for International play. 2b) Go Quakes!3) I have no respect for the West, except for SJ. 4) No.5) That's a good thing, right?6) Fortunately for Chicago, the Metros are still there.7) Go RSL!

It'll be very interesting to see how D.C. copes with the extra games and travel of the Copa Sudamerica. It might very well make or break their season.

Oh, and according to San Jose fans who were at the game, most guessed their were around 1500 or so Chivas fans, which means that about 20,000 were there because of marketing, team success, and promotions.

Oh, and according to San Jose fans who were at the game, most guessed their were around 1500 or so Chivas fans, which means that about 20,000 were there because of marketing, team success, and promotions.

That's really great news. Of the two teams who might get moved, S.J. fans are making the case far more loudly than their quieted K.C. bretheren/sisterhen that the team be kept in Silicon Valley. If Los Terremotos can draw 15,000 - 20,000 a game, why can't they stay in the area?

(For 20,000 a game, someone, somewhere's gotta be able to build them a stadium.)